The Legendary Danube 2026 - 8 Day River Cruise Nuremberg to Budapest

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The Legendary Danube 2026

8 Day River Cruise Nuremberg to Budapest



Tour Description:

From the rich history of Germany to the unique culture of Hungary, this Danube river cruise takes you to three countries, and the scenic beauty as you cruise past quaint towns, can be experienced right from your stateroom or atop the sky deck of your ship. In Nuremberg, Germany, board your river cruise vessel docked on the Main Danube Canal and visit this thousand-year-old city with a Local Guide. Next, reach Regensburg, the only German city not bombed during WWII. Lovers of architecture will enjoy the many listed buildings of historic interest, and Porta Pretoria, gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. And here you’ll taste local sausages at one of Germany’s oldest restaurants and we’ll introduce you to some of Germany’s famous beers.

Next stop is Passau, known for its narrow winding streets lined with Patrician houses, and the magnificent Italian baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In Melk, you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, which sits high on a bluff. Take in the breathtaking views before continuing through the picturesque Wachau Valley to the romantic sounds of Vienna, the “City of Music.” Your European river cruise vacation ends in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

Map for The Legendary Danube 2026 - 8 Day River Cruise Nuremberg to Budapest
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Dates & Pricing

Sunday 10 May 26 — Monday 18 May 26Starting at $3,699Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 24 May 26 — Monday 01 Jun 26Starting at $3,699Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 21 Jun 26 — Monday 29 Jun 26Starting at $3,349Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 05 Jul 26 — Monday 13 Jul 26Starting at $2,999Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 15 Sep 26 — Wednesday 23 Sep 26Starting at $3,999Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 13 Oct 26 — Wednesday 21 Oct 26Starting at $3,649Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 27 Oct 26 — Wednesday 04 Nov 26Starting at $2,999Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 28 Nov 26 — Sunday 06 Dec 26Starting at $3,649Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 07 Dec 26 — Tuesday 15 Dec 26Starting at $3,749Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Nuremberg (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Nuremberg: Guided tour in Nuremberg or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour or biking with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Day 3 Regensburg: Guided walk, see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria
Day 4 Passau-Linz: Guided walk in Passau; free time in Linz
Day 5 Melk-Wachau Valley-Vienna: Guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, or walk with your Adventure Host; scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; free time in Vienna
Day 6 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing, or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 7 Budapest: Choice of guided tour, see Heroes’ Square or hike with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Budapest (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
Notes:
  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Explore your ship this evening and enjoy dinner on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG NUREMBERG-SCENIC.jpg

Day 2
NUREMBERG Legends and History Lessons Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Start your day with a bike ride together with your Adventure Host around the port area of Nuremberg, OR CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg—with its medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich. DISCOVERY Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal—linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG
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Day 3
REGENSBURG Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. Alternatively, spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU REGENSBURG.jpg
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Day 4
PASSAU Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers”. Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Sail to Linz this afternoon, or join your ship after your selected full-day excursion. LINZ, AUSTRIA Legendary, Lovely Linz Enjoy a free afternoon to linger in Linz. Take a bicycle from the ship and cycle along the Danube, or follow one of Linz’s many nature trails for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MELK PASSAU.jpg
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Day 5
MELK–WACHAU VALLEY Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a walk along the Danube river and around Melk, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. Enjoy a coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Vienna. VIENNA Viennese Waltzes on the Beautiful Blue Danube This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIENNA MELK-ABBEY.jpg
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Day 6
VIENNA Royal Collections, and Amusing Attractions Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Enjoy free time this afternoon to take a tram to visit Vienna’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also borrow a bike from ship to explore Vienna’s square or the banks of the Danube. Later, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Budapest. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST VIENNA-HOFBURG-PALACE.jpg
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Day 7
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY War Heroes and Hot Water ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. This afternoon, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend free time soaking in one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest’s cafés, pubs, or nightlife. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST BUDAPEST-HEROS-SQUARE.jpg
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Day 8
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW.jpg

Accommodations

NurembergBudapest
Le Meridien Grand Hotel
Superior First-Class



Bahnhofstrasse 1-3 Nuremberg Germany

With the lustrous flair of a classic grand hotel, enhanced with state-of-the-art technology and convenient features, this 190 room historic legend has been hosting international luminaries for almost 125 years. Located in the heart of the ancient city centre, museums, shops, the city's famous market and the Imperial Castle are all just a short stroll away. All air-conditioned guest rooms feature flat screen TVs, in-room safes, Free Wi-Fi Internet access, USB mobile charging ports and elegant Art Nouveau-style marble bathrooms which skillfully highlight the fusion of classic and modern style. There is a Brasserie style restaurant serving authentic German cuisine as well as an Art Deco-style Atelier bar/lounge offering 1920s charm and a large selection of drinks and cocktails.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.